Ex-Nonprofit Leader Gets Two Years In Prison In Embezzlement Case

CONNECTICUT - The former executive director of the Southeastern Regional Action Council on Substance Abuse was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison for embezzling from the nonprofit.

U.S. District Court Judge Stefan R. Underhill imposed the sentence on Michele Devine, 51, of Waterford in a court proceeding in Bridgeport, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

After Devine serves her sentence, she will be on supervised release for three years. During that time she must perform 300 hours of community service.

Underhill also ordered Devine to pay $397,064.93 in restitution and a $2,000 fine.

The Norwich-based nonprofit organization provides substance abuse, problem gambling and mental health-related services to 41 towns in southeastern and northeastern Connecticut. It gets much of its funding through state and federal grants.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, starting in 2008, Devine spent “thousands of dollars” on purchases unrelated to the nonprofit organization. Prosecutors said she spent money on personal expenses for herself and her family, including for private school donations, home appliances, travel, timeshare fees at a Connecticut resort, and stays at the Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires in Massachusetts.

Devine was the organization’s executive director until July 2022. She was arrested in August 2023, and she pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Oct. 21, 2024.

Devine must report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on March 12.